There were many changes to the armament and science of war warfare that occurred during the American Civil War. In this section you will find information about then new weapons, such as Iron Clad ships, the Gatling Gun, Observation Balloons, repeating rifles, and the submarine. You will also find information about the older weapons, or weaponry modified during the war, such as the Minié Ball

content provided by the national park service www.nps.gov
author: John Heiser - Gettysburg National Military Park - May 1, 1998

The life of a soldier in the 1860's was difficult and for the thousands of young Americans who left home to fight for their cause, it was an experience none of them would ever forget. Military service meant many months away from home and loved ones, long hours of drill, often inadequate food or shelter, disease, and many days spent marching on hot, dusty roads or in a driving rainstorm burdened with everything a man needed to be a soldier as well as baggage enough to make his life as comfortable as possible. There were long stretches of boredom in camp interspersed with moments of sheer terror experienced on the battlefield. For these civilians turned soldiers, it was very difficult to get used to the rigors and demands of army life.

Use the links below to explore the life of soldiers in the American Civil War.

The most compelling aspect of the Civil War are the battles that were fought.  Brief and exceptionally violent, especially by today's standards, the battles of the American Civil War stand out in our history for the bravery of the men involved and the number of casualties inflicted.

It is difficult to understand how men could march towards each other, often facing certain death at the hands of their foe. 

The Civil War was no longer a battle of the swift, or the fittest.  Advances in technology had ushered an age of modern and efficient warfare which all but eliminated the chivalry of ages past.  The accounts of the battles here are brief, providing information on the forces involved and the outcome. 

The Official Record of the War of the Rebellion contains the reports of the soldiers involved.  A reading of the several reports from each battle provide insight into what each commander witnessed and his own perspective on the battle.  Taken together, these reports provide the reader with an overview of what transpired.  Understanding that the author often wished to praise his men, or cover his own faults, it is still the best picture of events we have.

The regular army was small at the outset of the Civil War.  As the war lengthened in time and losses, the governments of both sides relied heavily upon the states themselves to provide men through militias as a means of keeping costs down at the federal level.  This method had several benefits, such as the granting of commissions as a political favor, as well as encouraging natural leaders to come forward through raising their own regiments, etc. After the war, the bonds created among units were strong and local.  As a result, much of the history of the war was recorded by societies or groups that formed by way of veteran's organizations.  These groups often collected the anectdotes and histories of the militia and recorded them for posterity's sake.  This section is devoted to providing as many Regimental Histories as we can gather as a supplement to the official documentation of the war.  This section should not be confused with Fox's Regimental History.

Faith was an important aspect of society during the mid-19th century.  While the vast majority of Americans at the time considered themselves Christian, there were differing beliefs within the various Christian denominations and regions of the country; the issue of slavery and the right to enslave another person ranking very  high among the differences.  During the period leading up to the Civil War sermons were frequently printed and distributed in much the same way a periodical such a newspaper or magazine.  Indeed, it was not unusual for printed sermons to have a larger distribution and readership than regional newspapers and often were included in the newspapers of the day.  In this section are several sermons that were instrumental in shaping the reactions to events and views on slavery. 

There were sermons given in the North which were rebutted in the South with a counter sermon.  The early 1800's in the West was a period marked by new thought and interpetation of scripture, some of which lead to Unitarianism and Humanism.  With much of the abolition movement in the North rooted in Unitarian congregations, in the South the message was often rejected because of the messenger.  Note:  the term "unitarian" was used to indicate a non-triun God, essentially rejecting the Deity of Christ as one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Harper's Weekly is an American periodical that was published by Fletcher Harper and his Brothers James, John and Wesley from 1857 until 1916.  The publication was the most popular weekly during the period of the Civil War and is known for its lithographs, illustrations and descriptions of events during the period. As a historical reference the material in the weekly provides the perspective most American's had of the war as it transpired.  The record in Harper's Weekly often differs with the Official Record, which can be expected with any civilian coverage of a military operation. It remains, however, one of the more impactful and important references of soldier life during the war.

Benson John Lossing, born February 12, 1813 died June 3, 1891, was an American historian and journalist who's lifespan encompassed the Civil War and who's extensive works provided one of the more popular histories of the Civil War from the 19th century.  He was a frequent contributor to Harper's New Monthly Magazine.  His specialty was the American Revolution, a topic he must have thoroughly enjoyed having ammassed a significant library of reference documents and material covering the subject.  His background and ability to collect and compile information in a logical, compelling and captivating manner translated well for the posterity of the record of the Civil War.

Below are links to the various works by Lossing covering the period of the Civil War.

There are standards of reference when using an online resource in research papers.   This category provides information on how to use CivilWar.com as a reference for papers using information found in this web site.